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Mike Chiari is the featured Columnist for the Brooklyn Nets.
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Kevin Durant entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on Saturday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Eight Nets players are in health and safety protocols, including James Harden, Bruce Brown, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre' Bembry, Paul Millsap, James Johnson and Jevon Carter.
The Nets will host the Magic on Saturday and the Nuggets on Sunday.
The Nets were forced to play shorthanded the past two games, but they were able to win both of them.
The Nets were only able to use eight players Tuesday against the Raptors, but they were able to force overtime and win 131-129 on the strength of a triple-double by KD.
Brooklyn was victorious again Thursday, as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-105, as Kevin Durant finished with 34 points, 11 rebound and eight assists.
If the NBA doesn't decide to delay the games, Steve Nash will have to rely on some unheralded players.
Veterans and rookies will lead the way, with youngsters Nic Claxton, David Duke Jr., Kessler Edwards, Cam Thomas and Day'Ron Sharpe also playing key roles.
The Nets won't have a player like Irving, who has yet to play this season because he didn't get the vaccine.
Non-vaccinated players can't play at indoor arenas in New York state because of the COVID-19 regulations.
The Nets said Friday that they are working to bring Irving back so he can play in most of the road games.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors are the only road games that Irving will not be able to play in because of COVID-19 rules.
While the Nets will get a huge boost when Kyrie comes back, he won't be able to help them this weekend because of the injury to KD.
The Nets have a three-game lead over the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference, but they have some margin for error.
